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Despite concerns about tariffs and warnings of economic recession, the world's top entrepreneurs are more optimistic than ever and are quietly preparing for the largest wealth transfer in a generation. Their response is to appear calm on the surface while formulating clear plans to cash out on a large scale over the next decade.
According to the latest &#34;2026 UBS Global Entrepreneur Report,&#34; the most successful founders globally remain highly optimistic, planning to significantly expand their workforce, and notably, they are preparing for lucrative business exits.
The report surveyed 215 elite founders with an annual total revenue of $34.3 billion. It paints a picture of an entrepreneurial group that is almost unaffected by macroeconomic headwinds. As many as 68% of entrepreneurs express optimism about their business prospects for the next 12 months. Among them, Switzerland (83%) and Europe (74%) have the highest confidence indices, primarily driven by a surge in customer demand and rapid technological advancements.
Benjamin Cavalli, Head of Strategic Clients and Global Connectivity at UBS, stated that entrepreneurs are not choosing to retreat. He said, &#34;Entrepreneurs are not preparing to downsize; they are preparing to reshape.&#34; He added that they are welcoming the new year with &#34;remarkable resilience.&#34;
80% Plan to Expand Workforce Within Five Years
Entrepreneurs are not choosing to shrink; instead, they are increasing their growth investments. Over the next five years, 80% of entrepreneurs globally expect to expand their workforce, with 37% planning significant hiring. Additionally, 45% of entrepreneurs are considering international expansion or relocation to tap into new customer markets. To enhance efficiency and profit margins, they are also actively embracing artificial intelligence technology. 61% of respondents believe that AI presents the most commercially viable technological opportunity. Although they are aware of certain risks, such as political turmoil (42%) and the threat of significant geopolitical conflicts (35%), they are more inclined to address these challenges by improving operational efficiency and diversifying market layouts rather than slowing down their pace of development.
However, perhaps the most thought-provoking conclusion of the 2026 report is what is about to happen next: a massive wealth transfer. After successfully navigating a turbulent economic environment, a large number of founders are preparing to sell off assets on a grand scale.
$34 Billion Exit Wave: Why Founders Ultimately Choose to Cash Out
Nearly one-third (32%) of entrepreneurs globally are actively considering exiting their businesses within the next five years. Among entrepreneurs aged 65 and older, this proportion rises to 57%. American entrepreneurs are leading this &#34;cash-out wave,&#34; with as many as 63% planning to exit, far exceeding their counterparts in Europe (38%) and the Asia-Pacific region (18%)
Entrepreneurs often choose the highest bidder when cashing out. 40% of founders expect to sell their businesses to strategic buyers within their industry, usually because the synergies between companies can support higher valuations. Only 23% plan to pass the business operations to the next generation, and just 6% envision exiting through an IPO.
This impending wave of sales stems from a sobering realization among founders: they have neglected their personal wealth accumulation. About one-third (32%) of respondents admit that they have failed to accumulate as much personal wealth as possible due to continuously reinvesting funds into business growth. In the U.S., nearly half of respondents (47%) report this personal wealth accumulation gap.
However, this situation is changing. Globally, 42% of &#34;entrepreneur-first&#34; founders indicate that their primary focus after selling their businesses will shift to accumulating personal wealth. As they prepare to welcome this substantial gain, their anxieties have also shifted from business strategy to personal legacy. Two-thirds (67%) of respondents prioritize how to help heirs responsibly manage the upcoming wealth, while 61% are highly concerned about tax efficiency in the asset transfer process.
As entrepreneurs turn their attention to lucrative sale opportunities and wealth management, they confidently ignore the current economic noise. They are preparing to bid farewell to the boardroom in exchange for a well-deserved substantial reward.
A Different Picture for Small Businesses
Not everyone is equally optimistic. The small business optimism index from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in the U.S. fell for the second consecutive month in February this year, dropping 0.5 points to 98.8. Meanwhile, the net expectation for actual sales volume decreased by 8 percentage points to 8%, the lowest level in nearly a year. Hiring plans have fallen to their lowest point since May of last year, and taxes have become the top concern for businesses for the third consecutive month.
The differences between the UBS and NFIB survey results reflect structural divides in the U.S. business landscape. Entrepreneurs surveyed by UBS have sufficient capital and scale to engage in business migration, diversification, and artificial intelligence investments. In contrast, small business owners tracked by the NFIB face uncertainties related to tariffs, labor shortages, and competitive pressures from larger companies deploying these technologies. Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist at NFIB, stated, &#34;The increase in sales and profits has led many business owners to feel that conditions improved in February, but in the current economic climate, competition from larger firms is putting pressure on small businesses.&#34;
The NFIB survey in March will reflect for the first time the impact of rising energy prices related to the war in Iran on small business sentiment. For these small businesses, which have the weakest capacity to absorb such costs, rising energy prices add new variables to their already fragile outlook. (Wealth Chinese Network)
Fortune magazine uses generative artificial intelligence as a research tool for this article. The editor has verified the accuracy of the information before publication.
Translator: Liu Jinlong
The intellectual property rights of the content published on Fortune Chinese Network are exclusively owned or held by Fortune Media Intellectual Property Limited and/or relevant rights holders. Any use such as reproduction, excerpting, copying, and establishing mirrors is prohibited without permission

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According to the latest "2026 Global Entrepreneur Report" released by UBS, 63% of American entrepreneurs plan to exit their businesses. Despite concerns about economic recession and tariffs, they remain optimistic about the future. 68% of entrepreneurs express optimism about their business prospects for the next 12 months, and 80% plan to expand their workforce within five years, with 37% planning significant hiring increases. Entrepreneurs are actively embracing artificial intelligence technology, with 61% believing it has commercial potential. Despite facing political and geopolitical risks, they choose to respond to challenges by improving efficiency and diversifying markets

63% of American entrepreneurs plan to exit their businesses, UBS's latest report explains the reasons